Industry news

• The New CARE Consortium, Europe’s Largest Research and Development Initiative, Launched

  20 August 2020 GMP News

  Johnson & Johnson announced that it is founding and co-leading the new CARE (Corona Accelerated R&D in Europe) consortium, Europe’s largest, multi-partner scientific research initiative dedicated to discovering and developing urgently needed treatment options for COVID-19. In this role, J & J is helping bring together Europe’s best and brightest scientific minds from 37 renowned academic institutions, research organizations and pharmaceutical companies, together with partners from the United States and China.

• China grants patent for experimental COVID-19 vaccine

  20 August 2020 GMP News

  China has recently granted its first COVID-19 vaccine patent for an experimental vaccine jointly developed by the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Chinese biotech company CanSino Biologics, a decision that validates and protects the innovation of the country’s vaccine development.

• Even in the coronavirus era, U.S. pharma and biotech employees say jobs secure: survey

  19 August 2020 Beth Snyder Bulik / FiercePharma

  Pandemic woes have workers fearing for their jobs across the U.S., but at least so far, the life sciences industry is largely immune. Pharma and biotech employees are feeling secure in their employment and salary prospects, according to a new study from EPM Scientific recruiting consultants.

• Scientists have compared different types of influenza vaccines 17.08.202089

  19 August 2020 GMP News

  Although influenza vaccines are released every year to combat the new viral strains, the effects on the immune system need to be understood in more detail. Immunomodulators are sometimes included in vaccine formulations, and they are meant to improve the immune response. Sechenov scientists compare different influenza vaccines and decide which type provides the best immunological effect.

• Second phase of COVID-19 vaccine trials began in Novosibirsk

  18 August 2020 GMP News

  The Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in Novosibirsk has started the second phase of clinical studies of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus. All participating volunteers are in good health, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova told.

• More than a third of disrupted cancer trials back on track: report

  18 August 2020 Ben Adams / FierceBiotech

  Oncology studies were some of the hardest hit in the first few months of the pandemic, but more than a third have now resumed. This is according to a new report out by life sciences analytics firm GlobalData, which found 37.8% of oncology trials disrupted by COVID-19 have resumed. 

• FDA Approves Targeted Treatment for Rare Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mutation

  17 August 2020 GMP News

  U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Viltepso (viltolarsen) injection for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 53 skipping. This is the second FDA-approved targeted treatment for patients with this type of mutation. Approximately 8% of patients with DMD have a mutation that is amenable to exon 53 skipping.

• Sputnik V Vaccine Production to Begin a Month after 3rd Stage

  17 August 2020 GMP News

  The third (post-registration) stage of research on the coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, which is expected to be launched within 7-10 days, can be called mass vaccination because it will involve tens of thousands of people, Director of the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.

• Russia Plans to Make 5 mln Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Per Month in December-January

  14 August 2020 GMP News

  Russia plans to make 5 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine per month in December-January, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg told reporters on Wednesday.

• COVID-19 vaccine delivery will be one of the biggest logistical challenges in modern history

  14 August 2020 GMP News

  The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Pharma.Aero have joined forces to develop global guidance for the air cargo industry to enable optimal transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine. The guidance will be developed gradually in four work packages through a joint working group to ensure feedback from all stakeholders in the supply chain of air cargo and pharmaceuticals said in a press release.